Dine to suit your budget at Royal China

Royal China
The Maitre'D at Royal China must be getting used to guests asking for a doggy bag at the end of their meal. Because regardless of how you only ever intend to order a couple of dishes when you sit down, a quick flick through the menu at this new DIFC fave, and it's pretty much a given that you'll order three times more than you can possibly eat, because it all just sounds, for want of a more intelligent description, too yummy to miss.

Let's tell a little story. Two girls are going out fora catch-up over a lovely dinner, each promising the other they are going to be good, stick to their pre-Christmas diets, have just soup and a main and definitely no pudding! But on the recommendation of the man in charge, there are suddenly two lychee cocktails at the table, because, well, it would be rude not to try the house tipple, right? Lychee cocktails in hand, they skim the menu. Suddenly, the term ‘diet' is not in their shared dictionary, because they want to eat everything they're reading about. Twice.

It's very easy to see why this plush foodie hangout is busy pretty much every night of the week - and virtually everyone leaves carrying Royal China paper bags. We kicked off our evening of (un)dieting with Tom Yam soup. "I'm full already," said my friend as she supped away, hooking the huge, juicy prawns out of the hot, tangy broth. "Me too," I agreed, as a plate of smoking hot chilli salt squid arrived - a plate that was soon emptied by two not very hungry diners. I'd been told the dim sum here was fabulous - and sure enough, if I'd spontaneously combusted after finishing the Spinach and crystal prawn dumplings, I know I would have died happy. Quite why we ordered Peking duck, Steamed sea bass with ginger and spring onions (delicate and totally delish), Sautéed broccoli, Rice and velvety soft Beef withblack bean sauce was proof that, faced with the knockout menu, we were powerless.

Pudding? Don't be ridiculous, we couldn't eat another thi... oh, alright then. A fresh fruit platter to trick ourselves we were still ‘being good', followed by an amaze toffee banana and green tea ice-cream; and as we left, toting our bags of leftovers, I was already looking forward to the lunch I had, all bagged up and ready for the next day.
Location DIFC, Building 4
Tel 04 354 5543

Tasty trio: Chinese

White Orchid
This chic restaurant, with a slightly nautical feel, is an ideal choice if you're looking to sample the delicious flavours of the Far East. Although the menu is predominantly Chinese, it successfully fuses Szechuan, Thai and Japanese cuisines to be enjoyed around traditional teppanyaki tables. The chef will cook the dishes to your taste, ensuring that every bite is spot on, and after dinner, make your way to the White Orchid Lounge bar for a drink overlooking the gardens.
Location Palm Tree Court & Spa,Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, Dubai
Timing Mon to Sat 12pm-2am
Tel 04 814 5604

Shanghai Surprise
One of the capital's most popular Chinese restaurants specialises in authentic dishes expertly prepared, with an impressive selection on the menu. We recommend kicking your meal off with the delicious and always succulent steamed dim sum - the Guo Tie are unmissable - and following up with the Chef's speciality, Tie Ban Xia, a sizzling prawn dish, served with Szechuan-style wok-fried rice.
Location Al Diar Capital Hotel, Abu Dhabi
Timing Daily, 12pm-12am
Tel 02 678 7700

Silk Route
Silk Route's impressive selection of meat-free dishes is guaranteed to puta smile on any vegetarian's face when they see the menu and know they have not been neglected - and we love the garlic snow peas and tofu cashew nut dishes. And meat-eaters can tuck into the roast duck and clear noodle soup, and Hong Kong beef, both of which come in ample portions for hungry diners.
Location Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa, Dubai
Timing Sat-Thu noon-3pm and 6.30pm-midnight; Fri 7pm-midnight
Tel 04 351 9111